9/9 Shore's WWE Raw live coverage: Edge returns, Cody Rhodes can get his job back if Goldust defeats Randy Orton, Final hype for Night of Champions

By Chris Shore

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired life from Toronto, Ontario at Air Canada Centre.

[Q1] The show opened with Edge's music and the place went absolutely ballistic. He finished his entrance, including pyro, as Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry "The King" Lawler checked in on commentary. Tony Chimmel handled Edge's introduction, certainly from Edge's request. Edge said every time he comes back he is reminded why this is home. He said it had been took long since he had said this, but "Welcome to the Cutting Edge."

Edge said Triple H requested for him to be there tonight because it would be good for business. He said Hunter thought a reunion might be good. Not a reunion with Christian, but his partner in Rated RKO, Randy Orton. Edge said he's known Randy a long time and he knew the guy had nothing interesting to say. He said it was like watching paint dry.

Edge said he didn't mind Orton cashing in, after all, he wrote the book on it. He said his problem was that Orton had sold out and hid behind the Shield and Triple H. All of that meant Randy would not be his guest tonight. He said he was picking someone who was also good for business. He invested the crowd to say "yes" if they agreed and the chant started as Edge introduced Daniel Bryan.

Bryan made his entrance as a video recapped Big Show knocking out Bryan last week. As soon as the video ended, a huge "Daniel Bryan" chant broke out, and the two men let it play out for a moment. Edge said Bryan had been through a lot. Bryan said he had, but it was easy when you had that many people chanting his name.

Bryan said Triple H said if he didn't revoke his rematch he would get hurt, and he had. He said he didn't care how many knockouts or triple powerbombs he takes, he's going to go on to Night of Champions and beat Randy Orton to become the WWE Champion. Edge said that's why he liked Bryan. He said Bryan fought for it just like Edge did. He said he didn't know if Bryan could beat Orton, but he deserved a clean shot.

Edge asked Bryan if he was sure he could beat Orton. The crowd chanted the answer and Bryan smiled for a moment before answering, "Yes." He started to ask Bryan another question, but Randy Orton's music cut them off as he came to the stage. Orton shit on Canada and said it was a shame Edge's body gave out on him at such a young age.

Edge said there might be something wrong with his spine but at least he had one. He said Triple H had a good mind for the business, but his talent picking skills suck. Hunter's music hit and he came to the ramp and said he wanted to give Edge an opportunity to say things to his face since he seemed to have something to say. Edge said he would say it because he didn't work there and didn't have to bite his tongue.

Edge said Hunter didn't know a damn thing about picking talent. Edge said Hunter didn't think he would make it. He said Hunter didn't think Chris Jericho could make it. He said Hunter talked about "this Vanilla Ice wanna-be" name John Cena who couldn't make it. He said Hunter's track record was terrible.

Hunter said he was happy to see Edge because it was best for business, and he had earned a nice sum to have Edge on to promote Haven. He plugged the air time and said he wanted to retort now that the promotion was out of the way. He said he had missed a few times over the years with talent. He said Jericho and Cena had proved him wrong, but he was right about Edge because Edge was a failure. He said, "You never drew a dime, bud."

[Q2] Hunter said he was going to give Bryan the chance to also prove him wrong when he faced Dean Ambrose later tonight. He said since Ambrose would have the Shield in his corner, he would put Big Show in Bryan's corner. He told the crowd, who were chanting for Edge, that Edge had long since stopped being able to fight like man. He said everything would be better if everyone tried to get along with him. He said he wasn't a dictator.

Edge said he earned his Hall of Fame ring, he didn't have to marry into his success. He said Hunter wasn't a dictator, he was just a dick. Hunter tried to cut him off as he said it and added that it was easy to talk trash when you had a "withered stack of dimes" for a neck and knew no one could touch you. He said if he couldn't touch Edge, perhaps he could touch the ones he loved. The shield dragged Christian out on the stage and Edge ran up to check on him…[C]

Shore's Slant: Hot start with Edge and a nice way to get Christian off TV if his concussion is still causing problems. It’s also a great way to re-introduce him into the storyline if he is ready to return. The personal jabs between Hunter and Edge gave a sense of reality to the exchange that really worked. Sadly it's still Hunter getting heat, but maybe we'll see something tonight.

Edge stormed into Hunter's off ice and the Shield blocked him. Edge said he wished the doctors would clear him because he would be coming for Hunter. Hunter said the doctors never would clear Edge so he had a lot of gall to come in there on his show in his town and talk junk. He said Toronto was his city now and ordered Edge out of the building. He threatened to have the Shield escort him out. Edge shook his head with a disgusted look on his face and left…

1. Kofi Kingston vs. Curtis Axel (w/Paul Heyman). Kingston hit the SOS quickly, but Axel was near the ropes and grabbed hold. Axel recovered quickly and started attacking Kofi in the corner. The ref kept dragging him away and Axel kept coming back. The ref finally disqualified him for it.

Kofi Kingston defeated Curtis Axel by disqualification at 2:17.

Post-match, Heyman yelled at Axel that if that happened on Sunday, he would be alone with Punk. He freaked out and Axel said it wouldn't happen. He pulled Kofi out of the corner, but Kofi punched him and hit Trouble in Paradise before leaving. Heyman looked defeated and helped Axel from the ring…

[Q3] Cole hyped the Goldust vs. Orton match and setup a Goldust hype video...[C]

Shore's Slant: They're trying too hard with Axel now. He looks like a complete chump going into Sunday. Maybe that's what they want, but I don't think you can pull back at this point. If they somehow screw Punk out of getting his hands on Heyman with how bad Axel has looked I think fans check out on the story. It's the proverbial "jumped the shark" moment. And yet how is Axel going to get any boost out of this? A competitive match with Punk screams "predetermined" because Axel looks totally incompetent and Punk is the "best in the world." This feud is losing steam fast with Axel as the proxy. I hope this is the blow off on Sunday.

Backstage, Axel and a ref helped Heyman off the floor. A close-up showed water on the floor. They took Heyman to the trainers and the trainer said they should call for the doctor. Heyman said no, he had his own doctor. The trainer iced it and they all looked uncomfortable. King said perhaps Heyman wet himself…

A video recapped Big Show's story from last week…Booker T walked up on Show and gave him a weird pep talk about being professional. He mentioned what was happening to Daniel Bryan and Cody Rhodes being fired. He told Show not to let his pride make him do anything stupid. Show stood up and said pride was all he had left. Booker told him to be professional…A short Wyatt hype video aired…[C]

Shore's Slant: Obvious fake injury is obvious. I realize it's Heyman's character, but what a weak choice. And what the hell was Booker going on about? Is he telling Show to do what Hunter says? It was a rambling promo that left me a little confused.

[Q4] Dolph Ziggler finished his entrance. The Wyatts were out next…

2. Dolph Ziggler vs. Bray Wyatt (w/Rowan and Harper). Wyatt started fast and went for his corner splash. Ziggler hit a dropkick instead. Harper jumped on the apron and Ziggler took him out, but Wyatt hit a crossbody that reminded me of Mike Knox and yelled, "Is this not what you asked for?" as the show went to break…[C]

Ziggler hit a chin buster and ducked another corner splash. He hit a swinging neckbreaker, followed by an elbow drop, but Wyatt kicked out before one. Ziggler hit the Fameassor for two and the family tried to attack. Ziggler dodged them, but Wyatt finally hit his corner splash and a very fast Sister Abigail for the win…

Bray Wyatt defeated Dolph Ziggler at 6:29.

Post-match, Bray and the family posed over Ziggler…[C]

Shore's Slant: This Raw has been a snooze fest since the opening segment. I don't understand why you would blow through these two facing each other for the first time on a go home Raw when they aren't facing each other in any way at the PPV, That total lack of story made this completely missable.

A commercial hyped Edge on Smackdown…The announce team hyped Goldust vs. Orton and setup another video of Goldust, this time focused on his silliness…

[Q5] Heyman, on crutches, made his way to the ring with Axel and some guy who is sure to be Heyman's doctor. Heyman took a mic and said he didn't believe in socialized medicine so when he came to Canada, he brought a doctor with him, and that was who the other guy was. Heyman said the injury was severe to his knee and therefore he would not be able to compete. He said he would go back to New York and see them again.

Heyman started to leave, but Brad Maddox ran out with the WWE doctor. He said the only way Heyman could officially be removed from the match was if the WWE doctor pulled him. He said the doctor was going to give him an exam and if he was truly hurt, Heyman would be removed from the match. The doctor checked him as the crowd chanted "This is awkward." Funny. The doctor said in his opinion, Heyman was fine.

Heyman stood quickly and started to argue with the doctor and Maddox. Punk's music hit and he ran out with a Kendo stick. Punk knocked down Axel and Heyman ran like hell. Punk ended up beating up the doctor with the kendo stick…[C]

Shore's Slant: We will be roughly 75 minutes into this show when we get back from commercial and we have had roughly 9 minutes of wrestling. I'm all about storytelling, but do something in the ring, guys. I'm glad we got the payoff to the Heyman injury angle quickly, but it was still a weak way to sell the PPV match. Toronto was hot for Punk, and I don't think they hurt their sales in the least. I'm just underwhelmed compared to other things we have seen.

[Q6] AJ joined commentary for the Divas match…

3. Aksana, Layla, and Alicia Fox vs. Brie Bella, Naomi, and Natalya (w/Nikki Bella, JoJo, and Cameron). The announce team kept asking AJ if she was jealous of not being on Total Divas. AJ said it was about the Divas on the show not being the total package. AJ told King to "watch the product" at one point and I popped out of my chair. Natalya put Alicia Fox in the Sharpshooter, which was more over than any of the women themselves, for the win…

Brie Bella, Naomi, and Natalya defeated Aksana, Layla, and Alicia Fox at 2:56.

Post-match, AJ posed with the title facing the winning team…Another Goldust hype video aired…[C]

Shore's Slant: Another underwhelming attempt to sell the PPV. There might be a story here ultimately, but they haven’t settled on what it is yet. I was being 100 percent honest when I said the Sharpshooter was more over than any of the women. That's not a sign you’re your characters are very compelling now. Goldust is getting the star treatment tonight. He should get a big pop from this crowd. Good on him.

R-Truth finished his entrance. Alberto Del Rio made his ring entrance while RVD had a cut-in video that said "Dude, Sunday a new champion will be crowned." God I hate RVD's character so much…

4. R-Truth vs. Alberto Del Rio. A "JBL" chant broke out just before the botched a clothesline from Truth that was supposed to dump Del Rio to the floor. They did it again and Truth dove on Del Rio. The crowd didn't care and went on to chant for King and Cole. At least a plurality of the crowd was never really into the match as they seemed to always be chanting something else. A RVD chant did break out, but then it was for Undertaker as Truth went for the axe kick. Del Rio ducked and hit the kneeling superkick. He followed with the cross arm breaker for the win…

Alberto Del Rio defeated R-Truth at 4:48.

[Q7] The announce team hyped Bryan vs. Ambrose for later…[C]

Shore's Slant: Another meaningless match that didn't help their PPV sales. It looks like they are once again taking it lightly on the Monday Night Football doubleheader Monday, even with a go home show. There hasn't really been one compelling thing since the opening segment. Even if you like Punk and Heyman, it wasn't compelling.

A commercial announced the Prime Time Players, Tons of Funk, Real Americans, Usos, and 3MB in a "Tag Team Turmoil" match with the winners getting a title shot on the PPV…

Zeb Colter cut a promo on Canada and said they were the boring cousins of Americans. He said it wasn't too late if they could find the passion for something more than a stupid hockey game. He had them say the "We the people" line, but Santino Marella's music hit and he made his entrance to a big pop…

5. Antonio Cesaro (w/Zeb Colter) vs. Santino Marella. Cesaro hit a kick at the bell to knock Santino out. He tossed Santino around and then hit a giant swing that literally lasted over 30 seconds. The crowd chanted "Holy shit" and King said, "Yeah, what they said." Santino sold being dizzy for a moment, but came right back and setup for the cobra. Cesaro kicked the hand and snatched the sock off. He slammed Santino around some more and went for a straight right, but Santino ducked, hooked a side headlock takeover and rolled into a crucifix reversal rollup for the win…

Santino Marella defeated Antonio Cesaro at 3:43.

Shore's Slant: Did they really just announce a tag team match and then job one of the participants out to a comedy act? What the hell? For what it’s worth, the Players had the biggest picture on the graphic. Oh, and welcome back Santino.

[Q8][C] Damien Sandow was in the ring and cut a promo about being the uncrowned champion. Miz cut him off…

6. Damien Sandow vs. Miz. The crowd got restless again for another meaningless match. Even the announce team talked about other things that were happening on the show during the match. Miz was in control when Fandango's music hit. He and Summer Rae danced onto the ramp and the crowd went nuts Fandangoing. Sandow rolled up the distracted Miz for the win…

Damien Sandow defeated Miz at 3:48.

Fandango did his name gimmick…Backstage, Renee Young asked Goldust if he was ready for his match with Orton. Goldust said he was the family screw-up. He said he had burned up all the many chances he had been offered, but Cody had lived right and what happened was wrong. He said Triple H tried to embarrass the Rhodes name. He said he was coming for Orton and after tonight, Orton would never forget " the name…" He sucked in and started to say his name but Triple H cut him off by saying "Rhodes."

Hunter said it had been a long time since they had seen Goldust before. He laid it on thick about how Cody and his new bride were watching their entire future play out in the ring and that they had to depend on a guy like Goldust. He said that was a lot of pressure and he hoped Goldust didn't let them down…[C]

Shore's Slant: I guess it's going to be Fandango vs. Miz at Night of Champions. More heat for Hunter. There were some subtle hints there at Dustin's drug use, including the added pressure stuff. I hope that's coincidence and not something they meant to play into. I don't think it’s smart to use real life demons as storyline fodder.

[Q9] Randy Orton and Goldust made their entrances. Goldust got a good pop, but they burned a lot of it up with the interview…

7. Randy Orton vs. Goldust. If Goldust wins, Cody Rhodes can get his job back. The match started as JBL talked about the Vince McMahon and the Crocketts. That was cool. Orton and Goldust traded blows and Goldust did his dropdown punch and Orton rolled to the floor. The crowd chanted "You still got it." Somewhere Will Pruett is cursing.

Orton strung some strikes together and went for the powerslam, but Goldust held the ropes and slammed Orton. He set him up for Shattered Dreams, but Orton fled to the floor again…[C]

Back from commercial, Orton rolled to the floor to escape Goldust again, but Goldust followed and slammed Orton around on the floor. He rolled Orton in the ring, and Orton hit a hangman type move to take control. He slammed Goldust off the ring post and then hit a back suplex on the barricade.

Orton rolled Goldust in the ring and settled into his rest hold offense. Goldust punched his way out and hit a bulldog that the crowd popped big for. He started his comeback and did the ten punches gimmick in the corner. He whipped Orton almost into the ref and then rolled him up for a near fall.

[Q10] Orton hit the hung DDT and then mocked the fans with a "Yes" chant. He setup for the RKO, but Goldust reversed into Cross Rhodes just like Cody did before. The crowd went insane for the near fall. Orton ooked a roll up as Goldust asked the official about the count. Goldust kicked out, but Orton immediately hit the RKO for the win…

Randy Orton defeated Goldust at 14:51.

Post-match, Orton took the mic and said Goldust's dreams of getting his brother his job back were shattered, just like the dreams of Daniel Bryan would be after Night of Champions…[C]

Shore's Slant: A mediocre match that made up for it in the last five minutes with some fun action. Dustin looked good, but they didn't do that much either. They took their time and hit the big flurry at the end and it worked. I don't think it did much for the story, nut it was a fun moment.

An extended Los Matadores vignette aired…Goldust was walking backstage and Stephanie McMahon walked up and asked how he felt. She said she was sure he felt bad, just like Cody and his new bride did. She asked again how it felt to be a loser and turned nasty. She told him to go join his brother in the unemployment line and say high to his dad. Goldust walked off semi-crying…

Shore's Slant: Oh look, somebody else getting heat besides Triple H…Damn, it’s Stephanie.

Ricardo Rodriguez, who was introduced as "RVD's numero uno friend," introduced RVD. It still didn't work. RVD made his ring entrance as a video recapped what happened with Del Rio on Friday night…

[Q11][C] Ryback made his entrance. Alberto Del Rio made his entrance to the stage. He said RVD and Ricardo were nothing and therefore perfect for each other. He said they wouldn't be chanting "RVD" on Sunday, they would chant "ADR…'

8. RVD (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) vs. Ryback. Ryback slammed RVD around, but RVD came right back with rolling thunder for one. RVD set him up for the five star, but Ryback rolled to the floor. RVD tried to dive on him there, but Ryback moved and Van Dam hit the barricade. Ryback picked him up and slammed him nut first into the ring post to cause the DQ…

RVD defeated Ryback by disqualification at 2:58.

Post-match, Ryback rolled RVD in the ring and hit Shell Shocked while Ricardo whined at him…Show was walking backstage and Stephanie walked up. He wouldn't look at her as she spoke. She said she couldn't have him lay one finger on the Shield, and if he does, he will be terminated. She walked off as he stewed and he destroyed a nearby TV…

Shore's Slant: That looked like a big TV that Show threw down, and it was one of those old school tube types. Those things are heavy.

[Q12] The Shield, Big Show, and Daniel Bryan all made entrances. Show sat in his chair at ringside while the Shield roamed…

9. Dean Ambrose (w/Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins) vs. Daniel Bryan (w/Big Show…kind of). Bryan hit strikes on Ambrose as Show clapped and cheered for Bryan. JBL said it's only a matter of time before Big Show explodes and gets fired. Ambrose rolled in the ring and Bryan went to work on the arm. Bryan hooked a surfboard and appeared to be too close to the ropes so he picoted and set Ambrose down to recover.

Bryan stayed in control and the crowd settled down for his offense. He started to climb the buckle and Rollins jumped on the apron. The ref dealt with him as Bryan watched and Ambrose knocked him to the floor with a forearm…[C]

Back from commercial, Ambrose methodically took Bryan apart with strong whips to the corner. Show got the crowd chanting "Yes" and Bryan moved out of a corner splash. Ambrose hit the post and Bryan followed with dropkicks and a top rope ranna for two. Ambrose tried to fight back, but Bryan grabbed his arm and hooked a Yes Lock.

Ambrose made the ropes and earned a near fall after Bryan missed another corner dropkick. He set Bryan on the top rope and climbed up. Bryan slid out and tied him to the tree of woe. He hit a dropkick to the face and followed with a back superplex for two. A "This awesome chant broke out."

[Overrun] Bryan kicked Ambrose. Ambrose dumped him to the floor and collapsed. Rollins distracted the ref and Reigns went for the spear. Bryan moved and Reigns hit the stairs. He moved again and Rollins missed diving on him. Ambrose clotheslined Bryan from behind and rolled him in the ring and Show looked on frustrated. Ambrose yelled at Bryan to stay down. Bryan started to stand, but he grabbed Ambrose's arm. He hooked a small package for the win…

Daniel Bryan defeated Dean Ambrose at 14:08.

Bryan dumped Ambrose to the floor on the other two Shield members. Randy Orton's music hit and he ran toward the ring. Bryan dove on Orton, but the Shield recovered and beat Bryan down. Shield grabbed a chair and walked over. They stopped attacking Bryan and watched Show. Orton yelled for Show to put the chair down and he finally did after some difficulty.

Orton rolled Bryan in the ring and hit a RKO on Bryan after pointing at Big Show. Show started to leave, but Hunter and Stephanie walked out on the ramp. Hunter said it was time for Show to put his moral conundrums aside and go back to the ring to knock Bryan out. Show said no and Hunter ordered him.

Show went back to the ring but refused to do it. Orton yelled at him and then held Bryan up for Show. Show still wouldn't do it so Orton yelled at him some more. Orton went back to get Bryan again, but Bryan hit the running knee instead. Big Show left the ring and Bryan celebrated with the belt over Orton to end the show…

Shore's Slant: Well that didn't make a bit of sense. I get the idea of closing the show with Bryan over Orton, but they could have figured out how to do that with it making sense. Where did Stephanie and Hunter go? I don't think they did a very good job of selling Night of Champions with that moment because I still don't believe Bryan has any chance at all, even after tonight. They needed to give us that hope and they simply failed to deliver.

Overall it was a disappointing go home show. Only the pre-show match was added, and I almost missed it from how little fanfare there was. The top two feuds didn't have good nights--with the exception of the opening segment--and the rest of the card was barely given lip service. I hope Smackdown has a better night tomorrow night. I will have All Access audio later tonight and Jason Powell will have the Hitlist tomorrow. Thanks for watching along with me tonight.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com or tweet me @TheShoreSlant with whatever is on your mind.

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